Organisers defend Crows' pre-season 'heart and mind' camp

The company behind the Adelaide Crows’ controversial pre-season camp has spoken out to defend its training program.

Collective Mind directors Amon Woulfe and Derek Leddie said everything that occurred during the Gold Coast camp was approved by the club.

“This was not about the body whatsoever, it was about the heart and about the mind and some players felt that in itself was an unusual experience, they had never had it in their life before,” Mr Leddie said.

Mr Woulfe said they had walked through all aspects of the program with the Crows leaders.

The Adelaide Crows took part in a controversial pre-season camp. (AAP)

"The camp was approved, and signed off, at the highest level of the Club,” he said.

“We now know that some parts of the camp didn’t resonate with some players. There were some issues but they were quickly addressed.”

One of the major issues related to an Aboriginal artefact that was used as a talking stick in some of the sessions.

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“The talking stick was used in dialogue sessions and came from the same country as one of the players. The player was unsure whether this was an appropriate use or not, as it was originally a ‘digging stick’,” Mr Woulfe said.

The organisers have defended the camp. (AAP)

“We understand this was satisfactorily clarified by the player, with Indigenous elders within 72 hours of the camp ending.”

The directors confirmed players were blindfolded on a bus trip between their hotel and the camp, but denied reports that they were played the theme song of reigning premiers Richmond.

“Contrary to speculation, the Richmond theme song was not played on loop. It was not played at all. There was a comedy routine in which a comedian sang a few bars. That’s it,” said Mr Woulfe, who said he was on the bus.

Despite Crows coach Don Pyke conceding half way through the season that the camp was a “fail”, the company said the feedback they received was overwhelmingly positive.

Adelaide Crows star Rory Sloane. (AAP )

“Some said it was the best camp they’d ever been on, others said it made them a better husband and others said they wished they’d been able to do something earlier in their careers,” Mr Woulfe said.

Up to 25 ‘facilitators’ were involved in the three-day camp, including some former Australian Defence Force personnel and some qualified counsellors.

The camp involved sessions where players were asked to share what was holding them back on or off the field.

Coach Don Pyke said this season that the camp had been a "fail". (AAP)

“All sharing was voluntary, and categorically did not cover some of the more salacious claims that have been reported," Mr Woulfe said.

The company’s bosses say they haven’t worked with the Crows during the season and it was their decision to part ways with the club the year after intense interest in the camp.

“Naturally, we are disappointed that not all sessions worked for all players, and we hope that others continue to draw on the positive experience, they told us they had," Mr Woulfe said.